Extract from Virginia J. Randolph (Trist) to Nicholas Philip Trist

MonticelloAugust 3d 1823

My dearest grand-father is just recovering from a fever which lasted three weeks without intermission, and
which Dr. Watkins & my brother ascribe to his daily visits last summ fall to the Mill-dam where he was in the habit of remaining from breakfast until
dinner time. but this fever was accompanied by the influenza that none of us have
escaped; and violent
perspirations every night render’d him too feeble to set up, or even to read without
bringing on a head-ache: since these have ceased his recovery has been rapid, & will,
I hope, soon be
complete.